Clinical Overview
Entecavir Tablets (0.5mg) is a potent guanosine nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Following intracellular phosphorylation to active entecavir triphosphate, it competitively inhibits all three activities of HBV DNA polymerase: base priming, reverse transcription of negative-strand DNA from pregenomic RNA, and synthesis of positive-strand HBV DNA. Indicated for the treatment of chronic HBV infection in adults with evidence of active viral replication and liver inflammation.
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
Verified Clinical References
Usage Guidelines
Take orally 0.5 mg once daily on an empty stomach: at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after a meal with water (food significantly decreases Cmax and AUC by 45%). Nucleoside-refractory patients receive 1.0 mg daily. Continue long-term as directed by hepatologist.
General Administration Advice: Adhere strictly to the prescribed dosage, frequency, and treatment course. For oral medications, swallow with sufficient water. Never stop antibiotics, psychiatric medications, or antihypertensives abruptly without clinical direction.
Possible Side Effects
Common: Headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, dyspepsia. Rare/Severe: Severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis B upon discontinuation, lactic acidosis, and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis.
*Note: Individual physiological responses vary. While many patients experience few or no side effects, notify your treating physician if adverse reactions persist or if hypersensitivity (angioedema, skin rash, dyspnea) occurs.
Precautions & Warnings
Black Box Warning: Severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis B can occur upon discontinuation; monitor hepatic function for several months if stopped. Black Box Warning: Lactic acidosis risk. Must be taken on an empty stomach. Adjust dose in renal impairment (CrCl < 50 mL/min).
Schedule H (Prescription Required)
This medication is scheduled under statutory drug regulatory frameworks (CDSCO / Drugs & Cosmetics Rules). Dispensing requires a valid medical prescription from a registered medical practitioner. Self-medication or unsupervised dosage adjustment carries significant clinical risks.
Medical Disclaimer: Statutory Clinical Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational and price-transparency purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, clinical diagnosis, or gastrointestinal treatment recommendations. Always consult a registered gastroenterologist or qualified medical practitioner before initiating, altering, or discontinuing any gastrointestinal medication or digestive therapy.